Optoma UHD50 vs UHD60

Both producing amazing images and sharing most of the same features, it’s easy to wonder which is better.

We will be answering that here by helping you understand each projector, their differences, and strengths and weaknesses.

We made this even easier for you by putting their strengths and weaknesses into five categories - Image Quality, 4K, Build, Fan Noise, and Overall Usage and Value. This will help to tell you which projector is the better of the two.

4K

The UHD50 and UHD60 use Enhanced 4K and True 4K respectively.

Enhanced 4K takes 1920x1080 chip resolution and shifts its pixels diagonally to become UHD resolution (3840x2160), quadrupling the amount of pixels. This quality is lesser than both True and Full 4K (4096x2160).

True 4K projectors also have 3840x2160 due to a shift. True 4K projectors take 2718x1528 chip resolution and uses two-phase shifting to overlap its pixels with larger pixels and produce the UHD resolution.

Because of this lesser shifting and an obviously different pixel structure, the picture looks better on True 4K projectors.

Since the UHD60 is a True 4K projector, this would imply that the UHD60 has better 4K quality than the UHD50. While this is true, you could only truly tell the difference from up very close.

The Build (UHD50)

Size and Weight

A projector’s size and weight means a lot - especially when it comes to mounting and portability. In this section we will explain to you which one is the best portable projector out of these two.

While the UHD50 is big, the UHD60 is 4.25 lbs heavier and is larger than it in every dimension. One of the main complaints about the UHD60 is its size and weight, making it harder to mount, carry around, and just handle altogether.

This makes the UHD50 the better option of the two here.

Build

The UHD50 has had few complaints about its build, most of them being rare and inconsistent. This is quite different from the UHD60.

Some people worry about dropping the UHD60, damaging it, or if it is even worth it to spend money on it. Having a massive, expensive, and bad build pushes some potential buyers away.

This is something that you need to consider. Spending a hunk of money on a projector that is vulnerable, expensive, has a cheap build, and is hard to mount and handle, may be a bad decision for some.

That is why the UHD50 has the better build of the two - giving it more reliability than the UHD60.

Malfunctions

Both the UHD50 and UHD60 have malfunctions.

The UHD50 has the infamous light border - a border of light around the image that doesn’t harm the image, but is annoying. This is a pretty common problem and is something to be wary of.

The UHD60 has a common HDMI port malfunction problem. HDMI ports are essential to projectors, and having a port that doesn’t work can make you feel like you’ve wasted a lot of money.

While the light border is a sizeable problem, you’ve lost a lot of the projector’s potential capabilities if your HDMI ports don’t work. That’s why, once again, the UHD50 is the better option for build.

If you want a more reliable, sturdier, and not as cheaply looking build, even though its picture may have a light border, then you’re going to want the UHD50.

Fan Noise (UHD60)

There have been minimal complaints about the UHD60’s fan noise, but this is quite different for the UHD50.

The UHD50 HAS a loud and obnoxious fan noise that people really do not enjoy. If you want a quiet projector, the better option of the two is the UHD60.

Overall Usage vs Value (UHD60)

Now that you see how the UHD50 and UHD60 differ, it’s possible that you’re still wondering which is better. Let’s clear that up for you here.

UHD50

The UHD50 has a shorter throw and better overall build than the UHD60. While being cheaper than the UHD60, the UHD50 is a great 4K option with amazing picture performance.

If you have a smaller room, prefer a more reliable build, or want to save on money and receive nearly the same 4K quality, then the UHD50 is perfect for you.

UHD60

The UHD60 is quieter than the UHD50, has generally better 4K, higher brightness, and a higher the contrast ratio. While more expensive, this projector produces the better overall picture.

If you rather a quieter projector with a better image and you can put up with its massive, cheap build, then you’re going to want the UHD60.

In Conclusion

So which is better, the UHD50 or UHD60? Well, in the end, it’s up to your preferences. Whether you prefer a cheaper projector with a better build and nearly just as good 4K, or a quieter projector with better image quality, and slightly better 4K, is up to you.

Though they are both great, we suggest choosing the UHD60. Not only is it one of the best projectors out there today, despite its build and HDMI malfunctions, it is quiet and has amazing image quality with high brightness and a large contrast ratio.

Quick Recap

Optoma UHD50

Sturdier and better build

Indistinguishable 4K

Cheaper

Optoma UHD60

Greater Image Quality from higher brightness and contrast ratio

Theoretically better 4K

Quieter

Sources

My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.

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ABOUT US

My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.

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About Scott

I created this site as a two page website about how to watch movies outside with your kids. Three years later it has helped thousands build their own home theater in and outside the home.